Tuesday 25th October 2022
Modular construction can today be used to produce an enormous range of buildings, from houses to offices and even entire blocks of flats. When weighing up the pros and cons of modular buildings or masonry buildings, there are an increasingly large number of areas where modular buildings can outperform traditional masonry construction.
In this guide we’ll be exploring the advantages of modular construction, and whether there are any disadvantages to consider. Contact us to get a new or used modular building in the UK.
Modular construction is a method of assembling buildings where the different parts are constructed off-site in sections, which will then be moved to the site and assembled as a single building.
Through modular construction, a huge range of buildings can be produced. The modules can be placed together at varying angles and on top of one another. The modules will be joined with sturdy inter-module connections.
Historically, modular buildings have been used for structures such as school classrooms and changing rooms, but contemporary modular buildings can be used for a huge range of other buildings too.
Modular construction offers some important benefits over standard on-site construction methods, which help to provide cheaper, stronger, and more environmentally-friendly buildings. Here are some of the key areas where opting for modular construction could benefit you:
There are two specific speed benefits delivered during modular projects. The overall building process can take between 30% and 50% off of your construction time. As the vast majority of construction work occurs off-site, you can simultaneously prepare the foundations on-site while the modules are assembled in the factory. As the majority of the building work is completed off-site, this means that the disruption time to the building site will be considerably lower, saving both time and money. Off-site fabrication also reduces noise pollution caused by a building site.
Compared to traditional masonry construction, it is considerably easier to add to, alter, or move a modular construction. This can offer a wide variety of benefits that are not feasible in regular buildings. If you need to add to a modular building, such as an extra room or an entire floor, it is usually a simple process to construct new modules. Modular buildings can also be disassembled and reassembled elsewhere. Compare this to traditional masonry buildings, where extensions and alterations come with a high cost, and taking apart and reassembling buildings is an impossibility.
By offering a standardised production process and a much quicker on-site installation, modular buildings will also typically come at a reduced cost compared to traditional structures. The producers of modular buildings deliver the benefit of established techniques and economies of scale regarding materials, as well as safe and tightly-controlled production facilities.
As modular buildings are traditionally produced from standard models, there tends to be reduced waste from raw materials compared to traditional construction processes. Modular buildings have to factor in much lower waste allowances due to their precise designs, whereas traditional structures often bring unexpected material needs.
The quicker on-site construction process also reduces the disruption to the local environment. Sustainability is a concern across the construction industry’s public and private sectors, but modular structures can offer some excellent environmental improvements.
Another environmental benefit comes from air quality. Traditional construction can cause issues with moisture levels from the framing materials, causing a reduction in air quality. Modular construction is made with dry materials in a factory, avoiding such risks.
Modular buildings can also be more energy efficient once installed, due to the materials used.
When building with bricks and mortar you are at the mercy of the environment, with delays caused by persistent rain potentially stopping building work in its tracks. With modular buildings, the individual modules are built in a factory environment and delivered, avoiding any potential delays.
Modular buildings can be built to offer a high level of strength. They are produced in a factory-controlled environment to rigorous quality control standards. As they will be transported, normally atop a flatbed lorry, each module will need to be strong enough to stand alone. There is a wide range of material options that modular buildings can be produced with, including extremely durable options like steel.
When choosing modular constructions you will not be limited to set designs and shapes, with many companies including JCPSA offering bespoke modular constructions for sale. As modular building companies will have an understanding of the fundamentals of great modular construction, they will be able to design and build whatever you might need. Potential designs include bespoke frames and panelling.
The main drawback to keep in mind with modular constructions is that they will need to be built from pieces that can be transported. While flatbed lorries can transport a large singular unit, the biggest rooms will be limited if they are being transported by road, whereas traditional construction methods can produce huge rooms on-site. Otherwise, modular buildings can offer the same strength and quality as traditional construction, with a few added benefits.
JCPSA produces sturdy modular buildings in both standard and bespoke designs, perfect for a huge range of needs within the UK. Our modular buildings can be used as offices, marketing suites, and hospitality units.
When you purchase a modular construction from us, our team will deliver and install it for you across the UK. Alongside our range of new modular buildings we can also produce bespoke models, simply contact us to tell us what you’re looking for.
We produce all buildings from the ground up at our Chichester site, combining technological innovation with decades of experience. We also stock a range of used modular buildings, letting us offer quality products whatever your budget.
Browse our new and used modular buildings today.
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